TikTok is a popular social media platform where users can create and share short videos. A key feature of TikTok is the ability to see who has viewed your profile. When someone views your TikTok profile, this is recorded and shown to you as your “profile views” count. However, by default your own profile views are also visible to others.
Having your profile views public has implications for privacy. Other users can see exactly who has recently viewed your profile, including friends, strangers, and potential employers or clients. For users desiring more privacy, this visibility into profile views can feel like an invasion of privacy or discomforting exposure. As such, TikTok does provide options to make your profile views private.
Why Hide TikTok Profile Views?
Many TikTok users choose to hide their profile views for privacy reasons. They don’t necessarily want others to know exactly who is viewing their profile or content. For some users, it can feel invasive or uncomfortable knowing their profile views are visible.
Hiding profile views can also help avoid potential awkwardness, especially if you are viewing the profiles of friends, colleagues, crushes or acquaintances. Some users want to browse profiles discreetly without anyone else knowing. Turning off view counts gives users that option.
Overall, the main motivations seem to be around privacy, discretion and controlling how much information is available about one’s viewing behaviors on TikTok. The platform makes it easy to hide view counts, so many users take advantage of this feature for peace of mind.
TikTok’s Default Settings
By default, TikTok allows other users to see who has viewed their profile. This feature was introduced by TikTok in early 2020 as a way for creators to see who their content is reaching.
When you view someone else’s TikTok profile, your account picture will show up under their “Profile Views” section, indicating you visited their page. This allows profile owners to see exactly who has checked out their profile recently.
TikTok has this feature enabled for all users by default. So if you view a profile and want to remain anonymous, you’ll need to change your settings to hide your views. Otherwise, any account you look at will be able to see your profile picture in their view count.
The default settings make it easy for TikTok creators and users to see their audience growth and engagement. But for those wanting more privacy, turning off view counts is simple to do.
Turning Off Your View Counts
One of the easiest ways to keep your TikTok profile views private is to turn off view counts in your settings. Here are the steps to turn off view counts on TikTok:
- Open the TikTok app and go to your profile page.
- Tap on the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner.
- Select “Settings and privacy” from the menu.
- Tap on “Settings” under the “Account” section.
- Scroll down and tap on “Privacy.”
- Toggle off “Profile view history” to disable view counts.
With this setting disabled, your profile views will no longer be tracked. Other users will not be able to see if or when you viewed their profile. This prevents your viewing activity from being visible to others.
Private Accounts
A private account on TikTok means only approved followers can view your profile and videos. When your account is set to private, your profile information, videos, likes, and following lists will be hidden from anyone who isn’t following you.
One of the main benefits of a having a private TikTok account is increased privacy and control over who can see your content. Private accounts also can’t see who views their profiles or videos. This means if your account is set to private, you won’t be able to see who views your TikTok profile.
To set your account to private on TikTok:
- Go to your profile page
- Tap the three dot menu icon in the top right
- Select “Privacy and safety”
- Toggle the switch for “Private account”
Once your account is set to private, you’ll have to manually approve each new follower request. Only approved followers will be able to see your private content.(source)
Using a Second Account
One of the most straightforward ways to view someone’s TikTok profile privately is to set up a separate TikTok account. This secondary account allows you to browse and watch videos without the account holder being notified.
To create a second TikTok account, first download the TikTok app if you don’t already have it. When opening the app, tap the profile icon in the bottom right. Then select “Add Account” and choose either “Use phone/email” or “Continue with Apple” to create a new account with a different email and/or phone number. You can easily switch between your main and secondary accounts in the app by tapping the profile icon.
The main benefit of using a second account is that your profile views and activity are completely separate from your primary account. As Mashable notes, this allows you to like, comment on, and watch videos without the account holder knowing. Just be sure not to follow or interact with the accounts you want to view privately with your secondary profile.
Clearing Cookies and Data
Clearing your cookies and data is one way to reset your TikTok view counts. When you clear your cookies and data, it removes the information TikTok stores about your account on your device, including your browsing history and activity. This essentially resets your profile as if you are accessing it for the first time.
To clear your cookies and data on TikTok:
- Open the TikTok app on your device.
- Go to your profile page.
- Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner.
- Select “Settings and privacy.”
- Tap “Data and storage.”
- Select “Clear cache” to clear cached data.
- Tap “Log out” then “Delete account info” to clear cookies and logged-in data. [1]
Clearing this data will reset your view counts back to zero on your profile. Keep in mind it also deletes any draft videos or messages you have saved.
Using TikTok Incognito
TikTok has an incognito mode that allows you to browse the app anonymously. When incognito mode is enabled, your activity on TikTok will not be linked to your account and your profile view counts will not increase when you view other profiles.
To enable incognito mode on TikTok:
- Open the TikTok app and tap on your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
- Tap on the 3-line menu icon in the top right corner.
- Tap on “Incognito”.
Once incognito mode is enabled, you can browse TikTok and view profiles without leaving a trace. Your likes, comments, and other interactions will not be visible to others. According to TikTok’s support page, only you will be able to see your own incognito activity while the mode is turned on.
Additional Privacy Settings
In addition to your view counts, TikTok offers other privacy settings to control your visibility and interactions on the platform:
Under “Privacy and Safety” in your settings, you can choose who can send you direct messages, restrict who can see the comments you’ve liked, and limit who can add you as a friend.
You can also customize your recommendations and whether your account will be suggested to other users. Turn these settings off if you don’t want TikTok’s algorithm promoting your profile.
Finally, enable the “Hide my likes” setting to keep your liked videos private. This prevents other users from seeing content you’ve engaged with if you want to be discreet.
Review all the options under “Privacy and Safety” to tailor TikTok to your comfort level. The platform lets you limit visibility and engagement depending on your preferences.
Sources: https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/account-privacy-settings/privacy-and-safety-settings-for-users-under-age-18, https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/account-privacy-settings
Key Takeaways
There are several key methods you can use to help hide your TikTok profile views from other users:
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Turn off your view counts in your TikTok privacy settings.
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Use a secondary or private TikTok account to view profiles more anonymously.
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Clear your cookies and data regularly, especially before viewing profiles you want to remain anonymous on.
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Utilize TikTok’s Incognito mode which doesn’t store your viewing history or activity.
It’s important to remember that TikTok’s default setting is to display profile view counts publicly. While you can take steps to hide your views, unless a profile is set to private, your views may still be visible. Adjust your own privacy settings accordingly to control how much of your TikTok activity is shared with others.
